Susie Sutton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Susie Sutton
Press Photo of Susie Sutton (1923)
Occupation	Actress, Performer
Years active	1913–1938
Known for	Theater monologues, member of the Lafayette Players, role in The Green Pastures

Susie Sutton (died February 1956) was an American actress. She was famous for her work in both plays and movies. Susie Sutton was part of the Lafayette Players from 1917 to 1922. Later, she started her own group called the Susie Sutton Company. She is well-known for playing Noah's wife in the 1930 play The Green Pastures.

Susie Sutton's Acting Career

Early Performances and Monologues

Susie Sutton started performing when she was a child. She sang and acted in church and sunday school plays. One of her first roles was in a play called "Little Buttercup".

Her early professional acting began in Indianapolis. From 1913 to 1915, she performed funny monologues. These were short, one-person acts like "The Maid" and "Italian Woman".

Joining the Lafayette Players

In 1917, Susie Sutton joined the Lafayette Players. This was a very important African American theater group. She starred in many plays with them until 1922. During this time, she became known as a top comedian in the group.

Working with I.M. Weingarden

After leaving the Lafayette Players in 1922, Susie Sutton joined I.M. Weingarden's theater productions. Their show Follow Me was a huge hit from 1922 to 1924. People often called her the lead of the "Follow Me company".

Susie Sutton was praised for her funny and serious acting. She was also a talented singer. She performed different characters, short skits, and popular songs. She was also a dancer.

New Shows and Her Own Company

A later show called Keep It Up was performed at the Lafayette Theater. Susie Sutton sang "The Bridge of Sighs" in this show. In 1925, the "Follow Me company" started a new show called the Bon Ton Revue.

In 1926, Susie Sutton created her own vaudeville group. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with many different acts. Her group was called the Susie Sutton Company. They performed in theaters across the TOBA Circuit. This was a network of theaters for African American performers.

She also continued to perform with the Lafayette Players. She acted with them at the Alhambra Theater. When the Players moved to Los Angeles in 1928, Susie Sutton stayed in New York. She then performed with the Alhambra Players.

Broadway Success and Later Years

Susie Sutton earned great praise for her role in The Green Pastures in 1930. She played Noah's wife in this famous Broadway play. Critics loved her performance.

In 1943, there was an effort to restart a theater system like the Lafayette Players. Susie Sutton was one of the original members who joined this new group.

Susie Sutton became sick in late 1955. She passed away in February 1956.

Susie Sutton's Stage Plays

• Keep It Up (1922)
• Follow Me (1922-1924)
• Meek Mose (1928) as Miss Minnie
• The Green Pastures (1930) as Noah's Wife
• Stevedore (1934) as Bertha Williams
• Noah (1935) as Noah's Wife
• Haiti (1938)

Susie Sutton's Films

• The Brute (1920)
• The Midnight Ace (1928)